purr

[ pur ]

/ pɜr /

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See synonyms for: purr / purred / purring on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to utter a low, continuous, murmuring sound expressive of contentment or pleasure, as a cat does.

(of things) to make a sound suggestive of the purring of a cat: The new motor of the car purred.

verb (used with object)

to express by or as if by purring.

noun

the low, vibrating sound made by a cat by the contracting of the laryngeal muscles and the diaphragm as it breathes.

a sound resembling this.

the act of purring.

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Also Archaic, pur .

Origin of purr

First recorded in 1595–1605; imitative

OTHER WORDS FROM purr

purr·ing·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH purr

per, purr

Words nearby purr

purposive, purpresture, purpura, purpure, purpurin, purr, purree, purse, purse crab, purse-proud, purser

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use purr in a sentence

Yet it only takes one turn—whether it’s the jolt of hardpack or the velvety purr of plundering pow—to remember what happiness is.
These New Skis Have Gone Too Far|Kimberly Beekman|February 4, 2021|Outside Online
On this week’s episode of Weirdest Thing, we get into the use of real-world animal sounds for creating everything from the purr of an engine to the sci-fi whoosh of a TIE fighter.
Imagine traveling to the moon only to realize you’re allergic to it. One astronaut did.|PopSci Staff|November 25, 2020|Popular-Science
If there was an Oscar for performances by felines, Inside Llewyn Davis should rightfully have claimed that too, with a purr.
Why No Oscar Love For 'Inside Llewyn Davis'?|Tim Teeman|January 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We always have fun,” she confided in her lilting Slovenian purr.
Obama Roasts Trump|Lloyd Grove|May 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Move cautiously and reassuringly and the bear will purr contentedly.
Democrats, Forever Changed|Peter Beinart|March 15, 2010|DAILY BEAST
She would put her paws on his shoulders, and rub his face, and purr in a most contented manner.
The Nursery, January 1873, Vol. XIII.|Various
Then the room became silent, and I heard her heavy breathing, like the deep purr of a cat.
Tiger Cat|David H. Keller
"Back—some time," replied Chester's voice, rising above the low purr of the engine with a note of satisfaction in it.
Red Pepper Burns|Grace S. Richmond
Catching the throbbing purr of the Imp as the car swung in at the driveway Chester jumped up.
Red Pepper Burns|Grace S. Richmond
The scaup came down the sky in dark masses, giving a rippling purr as they flew.
Wild Folk|Samuel Scoville

British Dictionary definitions for purr

purr

/ (pɜː) /

verb

(intr) (esp of cats) to make a low vibrant sound, usually considered as expressing pleasure, etc

(tr) to express (pleasure, etc) by this sound

noun

a purring sound

Word Origin for purr

C17: of imitative origin; compare French ronronner to purr, German schnurren, Dutch snorren

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

purr

Origin of purr

OTHER WORDS FROM purr

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH purr

Words nearby purr

Words related to purr

How to use purr in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for purr

Word Origin for purr